At the end of the first UK pilots’ strike in over 40 years today, BALPA has announced five days of ACAS talks and three new strike dates should those talks fail. ACAS talks will be on 12,13,15,20,21 September. Strike days have been set for 23rd and 29th September, and 6th October.

BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said: "I'm pleased that today's strike by Thomas Cook pilots has kickstarted negotiations. We will now focus on trying to make progress at five days of ACAS talks over the next two weeks.

“However, there is still a significant gap between us and Thomas Cook so we cannot assume that those talks will succeed. That's why we've set new strike dates. We urge Thomas Cook to come to the ACAS table with an acceptable offer so we won't need to use them."